Sony Announces the DSC-QX30 and QX1 Mirrorless Lens-Style Digital Cameras, and HDR-AZ1VR Action Cam Mini With Live View Remote Watch -- Now Available for Pre-Order at B&H Photo

Photography and Video News: Sony's New HDR-AZ1 and HDR-AZ1VR Action Cams Boast 50 Mbps Recording in the Smallest Form Factor Yet; Additionally, the DSC-QX30 and QX1 Mirrorless Lens-Style Digital Cameras Make Their Debut


NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - September 03, 2014) - B&H Photo would like to share the announcement of Sony's new HDR-AZ1 Action Cam, which at 1 x 1.4 x 2.9" in size is, in many ways, a scaled-down version of the previous HDR-AS100V. Like its predecessor, the new model features professional 50Mbps recording at up to 1080p60 in the XAVC S codec, and is currently offered in two packages from Sony: the basic camera, which is just HDR-AZ1, and the HDR-AZ1VR bundle, which features the new RM-LVR2V Live View Remote Watch. Since the camera is designed with the expectation it will be used to record all sorts of extreme adventures, it is splash proof right out of the box with no auxiliary housing needed. In addition, both packages include a 16' underwater housing for situations where the camera will be submerged in shallow water, and we can pretty reasonably expect a dive housing to become available shortly for deep-water use. Read all about the Sony HDR-AZ1 Action Cam here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1078349-REG/sony_hdr_az1_w_hdr_az1_action_cam_mini.html

The 1/2.3 CMOS sensor the camera uses features back illumination for enhanced low-light performance, and is backed up by the latest BIONZ X image processor to further reduce low-light noise, as well as enable its noteworthy 50Mbps XAVC S in-camera compression. To help give footage a POV feel, the Sony HDR-AZ1 features an ultra-wide Zeiss Tessar lens with an f/2 aperture. The lens provides a 170-degree field of view with SteadyShot image stabilization off, and a still very respectable 120 degrees with IS on.

Wi-Fi capability means both cameras can be operated remotely with a smartphone or other mobile device. When using devices that are NFC-enabled, it is possible to pair camera and mobile device simply by tapping the two together. It is also possible to view a live image and, where the mobile device has  an Internet connection, live-stream for the world to see. Wi-Fi also allows you to use the RM-LVR2V Live View Remote Watch, included with the Sony HDR-AZ1VR and available separately for the HDR-AZ1. With this watch, you can access settings, control recoding start and stop, take photos, and view a live image on its built-in screen. Read all about the Sony HDR-AZ1VR Action Cam Mini with live view remote watch, here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1078350-REG/sony_hdra_az1vr_w_hdr_az1_action_cam_mini.html

For shooters looking for an option with professional 50Mbps recording that is even more compact than previous Action Cam models, the HDR-AZ1 is not a camera to be disregarded. For more information on each package, Read more about the Sony HDR-AZ1 here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1078349-REG/sony_hdr_az1_w_hdr_az1_action_cam_mini.html

At this same time Sony also introduced the DSC-QX30 and QX1 Mirrorless lens-style digital cameras. The QX30 has built-in Wi-Fi which connects to your iOS or Android smartphone and uses the PlayMemories Mobile App to turn your phone into a viewer and menu control for the camera. With Android smartphones, NFC (Near Field Communication) enables a Wi-Fi connection with just a simple tap between the phone and camera. Furthermore, with the Wi-Fi connection enabled, you can use your smartphone as a remote control and shoot with the camera detached from the smartphone. In addition, a zoom lever and shutter button on the camera enable you to shoot without a smartphone at all and view your images later. The camera can utilize Memory Stick Micro, Memory Stick Micro Mark II and microSD and microSDHC memory cards for image storage.

HD 1080p at 60 fps in the MP4 format is supported by the Sony DSC-QX30 for quality video capture and a built-in stereo microphone records audio. Also, the camera offers numerous features such as Intelligent Auto, Superior Auto and Face Detection. There are 44 scene modes in Superior Auto and 33 in Intelligent Auto to enable the camera to match your shot with one of the numerous stored scenes and automatically adjust the settings to create a well-balanced and color-accurate photo. Read all about the Sony DSC-QX30 camera here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1078351-REG/sony_dsc_qx30_digital_camera_module.html 

Sony QX1 Mirrorless lens-style digital camera at B&H Photo, here:  http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1078352-REG/sony_ilce_qx1_mirrorless_lens_style_digital.html

About B&H Photo Video

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The B and H YouTube Channel has an unmatched wealth of educational photographic content. Our entertaining and informative videos feature product overviews from our in-house specialists, as well as photography industry experts. You can even view the B&H Event Space presentations from many of the world's foremost photographers and interviews with some of photography's most dynamic characters. Tap into this exciting resource by subscribing to the B&H YouTube Channel.

When you're in Manhattan, take a tour of the B&H Photography SuperStore, located at 420 Ninth Avenue. The expo continues all year round, in the camera kiosks at B&H. Featuring the newest cameras, the kiosks are manned by manufacturer representatives, who are there to guide you and demonstrate the latest photographic technology. With hundreds of products on display, the B&H Photo SuperStore is the place to test-drive and compare all the latest photography gear.

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Contact Information:

Eric Reichbaum
212-239-7500
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

Sony HDR-AZ1 Action Cam Mini Sony HDR-AZ1VR Action Cam Mini with Live View Remote Watch Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX30 Lens-Style Digital Camera